Directions, Accommodations, Dining, & FAQ

WHERE IS PEMA OSEL?

Pema Osel Do Ngak Choling
322 Eastman Cross Road
Vershire, VT 05079
(802) 333-4521
pemaosel@mangalashribhuti.org

Pema Osel Do Ngak Choling is located in east central Vermont, a beautiful area of rolling hills and river valleys, not far from the Connecticut River and the New Hampshire border. Hanover, New Hampshire, home of Dartmouth College, is 30 minutes south of the center. Boston is 3 hours by car, and New York City is a 5-hour drive. There is no cell phone service within a 10-mile radius of the center.

 

HOW DO I GET TO PEMA OSEL?

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION TO VERMONT

Traveling to Vermont by Air:
Lebanon Municipal Airport — Lebanon, NH
Logan Airport — Boston, MA (3 hours by bus to Hanover, NH)
Manchester Airport — Manchester, NH (1.5 hours to Hanover, NH; a few buses daily)
Burlington International Airport – Burlington, VT (car rental is best transportation option)

Traveling to Vermont by Bus
Dartmouth Coach: Buses from Boston’s South Station & Logan Airport to Hanover NH, also from New York City to Hanover. For more information, call (800) 637-0123 or visit https://dartmouthcoach.com/com
Greyhound: Manchester Airport to Hanover, NH. Information is not always on their website. Call (800) 231-2222 for assistance.

Traveling to Vermont by Train:
Amtrak’s “Vermonter” service from Washington and New York arrives daily in White River Junction. Details at: https://www.amtrak.com.

Once you arrive in Lebanon, Hanover, or White River Junction, we recommend a rental car or an Uber for transportation to Pema Osel.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS
You can also view Pema Osel’s location on a Google map which can be used for accurate directions and visual maps. Please be aware that some routes recommended by Google maps may take you onto unpaved roads and cell connection may be interrupted.

From I-91:
  • Get off 1-91 at exit 14, Thetford
  • Head west on Route 113. Drive through Thetford Hill, Thetford Center, Post Mills, and then into West Fairlee (approx. 8.5 miles)
  • In West Fairlee, turn left onto Beanville Road, the first road past Fifields Auto Shop
  • Travel Beanville Road for approx. 2.8 miles (Beanville becomes S. Vershire Rd.)
  • Stay to the left at the “Y” at Parker Road
  • Turn right onto Eastman Cross Road
  • Pema Osel Do Ngak Choling is the first driveway on the right. (approx. 0.3 miles)
From I-89 via Chelsea, VT:
  • From 1-89 S, take exit 5 for VT-64
  • Head east (turn right) toward Williamstown on VT-64 (approx. 5 miles)
  • Turn right onto VT-14 S/Main St, for approx. 1 mile
  • Turn left onto Chelsea Rd, for approx. 6 miles
  • Turn right onto VT-110 S, for approx. 4 miles
  • From Route 110, take Route 113 east toward Vershire, for approx 7 miles
  • Make a right at Vershire Center Road, for approx. .8 miles
  • When you come to the T at the top of the road, turn left to stay on Vershire Center Road, for approx. 1.3 miles
  • Stay right at the next fork in the road, for approx. 1.4 miles
  • At the bottom of a long hill, take a left onto Eastman Cross Road
  • Pema Osel is the third driveway on the left, (.3 miles) just past the small red cabin

 

GENERAL EVENT FAQ

WHAT IF I HAVE LIMITED MOBILITY, HEARING IMPAIRMENT OR SPECIAL CONCERNS?
Pema Osel is accessible to individuals with mobility impairments or other disabilities. Parking at Pema Osel is available for individuals with mobility issues. Please contact Rebecca Henry at rebeccanow@gmail.com with any questions and concerns.

HOW MUCH WALKING SHOULD I EXPECT TO DO?
The parking area is a few hundred feet from the main shrine hall. The terrain is hilly and grassy. There are gravel pathways, and walking shoes with rubber soles are best for this terrain.

WILL THERE BE FOOD AVAILABLE?
•    Lunch will be included in the price of the program for Source of Mahamudra.  A gluten-free and dairy-free option will be available. If you have dietary restrictions, we recommend you bring your own lunch, remembering that refrigeration and microwaving on site is limited.
•    We serve complementary tea and coffee.
•    We recommend guests eat breakfast before coming to the center in the morning,
WHAT KIND OF SEATING WILL BE AVAILABLE?
Seating is available on chairs (most are padded), or on the floor on meditation cushions.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
•    Personal water bottle
•    Notebook, pens
•    Walking shoes that can easily be put on and taken off.

WHAT SHOULD I LEAVE AT HOME?
•    Pets, alcohol, illegal drugs, and weapons of any kind

SHRINE ROOM ETIQUETTE
The following guidelines can help us remain mindful and respectful of the precious opportunity to hear the teachings and study and practice the Dharma.

  • Please remove shoes before entering the PMH (the post-meditation hall which is the entry to the shrine room) and place them on the designated shoe racks. Personal belongings (backpacks, coats, etc.) can be left in designated areas or taken with you to your seat.
  • When entering and leaving the shrine room, it is customary to offer a gesture of respect. This can be done by placing your palms together at your heart and bowing slightly.
  • Conversation should be kept to a minimum, or at a low level, in and around the shrine room.
  • Turn off all cell phones and watch alarms before entering the shrine room.
  • Dress appropriately. Revealing clothing such as halter tops and shorts are not considered appropriate attire. Hats should be removed before entering the shrine room.
  • Chant books, texts, liturgies, and sacred images should be treated with respect. Do not place them directly on the floor or step over them. Consider keeping them on your lap, on your mat or cushion, or in a tote bag.
  • It is considered disrespectful to point one’s feet at the shrine, a sacred image, or towards the teacher. Likewise, one never lies down in the shrine room.

WHAT IF I NEED TO LEAVE SUDDENLY?
Only in the case of an emergency should anyone leave during the teachings. Please make all necessary arrangements and plan to stay for the entire day. There are limited indoor toilet facilities, but several porta potties will be available outdoors.

CAN I BRING MY CELL PHONE OR LAPTOP?
Yes, but there is no cell reception within a 10-mile radius of Pema Osel, and we do not offer internet access. A landline will be available for emergency phone calls only.

 

WHERE DO I STAY?

There is no on-site accommodation, but there are lovely places to stay in the surrounding area that can be found on Airbnb, VRBO, Bookings.com, Hotels.com, Expedia.com, Tripadvisor, etc.

Several small towns, from about 10 to 30 minutes away, offer accommodation. Some of them are listed here with approximate distance in miles, depending on the route you choose. Chelsea (6); Strafford (11); Thetford (14); Fairlee (16); Tunbridge (12); Bradford (19); Washington (16); Corinth (11); West Fairlee (7); Royalton (21),  Sharon (24) and Vershire.

Some larger towns, e.g., White River Junction (25) and Barre (24) in Vermont, and Hanover (25) and West Lebanon (29) in New Hampshire have hotels. At this time, choosing accommodation (as well as dining) in Lyme may not be convenient because the only bridge is closed!

We have organized the following accommodations by their proximity to Pema Osel. They include hotels, motels, guesthouses, and bed and breakfasts. Please check with innkeepers for current prices.

ACCOMMODATIONS

10– 20 minute drive from Pema Osel

The Stagecoach Stop Hostel, Vershire, VT
www.vershare.org
reservations@vershare.org
802-685-7823 – Please call before 8 pm ET

Devil’s Den
www.devilsdenfarm-bandb.com    5 rooms/4 baths; no breakfast; $75/room/night; cash/check only.
396 VT Rt. 110, Chelsea, VT 05038
802-685-4582

Entire Vacation Home in Vershire (Sande and Bob)
www.airbnb.com/rooms
Standestockwell@gmail.com

25 – 45 minute drive from Pema Osel

Fairlee Motel
www.fairleedrivein.com (Has drive-in theater!)
1809 US Rt 5 North, Fairlee, VT 05045
603-272-5008

Lake Morey Resort
www.lakemoreyresort.com
(Restaurant on premises)
1 Clubhouse Road, Fairlee, VT 05045
802-333-4311 or 800-423-1211

DAWAFields   dawafields.com
Up to 14 people in farmhouse; plus yurts and tent space
5500 South Road Corinth VT 05033    (857) 998-7485
katie@dawatrips.co

Vermont Grand View Farm
www.grandviewfarmvt.net
39 S. Main Street, White River Junction, VT 05001
802-295-3118

Super 8 White River Junction
www.super8.com
422 N. Hartland Road, White River Junction, VT 05001
802-295-7577

Comfort Inn
www.comfortinn.com
56 Ralph Lehman Drive, White River Junction, VT 05001
802-295-3051

Fairfield Inn by Marriott
www.marriott.com
102 Ballardvale Drive, White River Junction, VT 05001
(802) 291-9911

Hampton Inn
www.hamptoninn.hilton.com
104 Ballardvale Drive, White River Junction, VT 05001
802-296-2800 or 1-800-HAMPTON

Holiday Inn Express & Suites
www.ihg.com
121 Ballardvale Drive, White River Junction, VT 05001
802-299-2700 or 1-888-465-4329

White River Inn & Suites
www.whiteriverinnandsuites.com
91 Ballardvale Drive, White River Junction, VT 05001
(802) 295-3015

 

DINING OUT

20–25 minutes from Pema Osel

Red Clover Café & Creamery
www.redclovercafeandcreamery.com
3052 US Route 5, East Thetford, VT 05043
Sandwich menu: Wed-Sat 11-2;
Ice cream window: Fri-Sat 2-9 and Sun 1-8.

Samurai Soul Food
Asian fusion, vegetarian friendly
176 Rt 5 North, Fairlee, VT 05045
(802) 331-1041

Broken Hearts Burger  www.brokenheartsburger.com
192 US-5, Fairlee, VT  05045
Open Wed-Sat 12-3 and 4-8 (8:30 Fri-Sat)

Leda’s Pizza Restaurant
Ledaspizza.com (Greek food, pizza)
456 Rte 5 South (next to Silver Maple Lodge,) Fairlee, VT 05045
Open Wed-Sun 4-8 (4-9 Fri-Sun)
(802) 333-4773

25 – 35 minutes from Pema Osel

Ariana’s
arianasrestaurant.com
1 Market St. Lyme NH 03768
Open: Wed-Sat 5-8 pm (8:30 on Sat)  Reservations recommended
(603) 353-4405   (Please note: Bridge closed)

Colatina Exit
colatinaexit.com (Italian cooking)
164 Main Street, Bradford, VT
(802) 222-9008

Stella’s Italian Kitchen & Cafe
www.stellaslyme.com
5 Main Street, Lyme, NH
(603) 795-4302
info@stellaslyme.com    (Please note: Bridge closed)

35+ minutes from Pema Osel

Carpenter & Main
http://www.carpenterandmain.com/
326 Main St, Norwich, VT
(802) 649-2922

Hanover, NH
330 – 35 minutes from Pema Osel
Hanover, NH, home of Dartmouth College has a plethora of eateries, both simple and upscale, many open quite late. Below is a sampling of some Hanover eateries.

Boloco
boloco.com
wraps/burritos, salads, smoothies
35 S. Main Street, Hanover, NH
(603) 643-0202

Canoe Club
www.caonoeclub.us
Upscale American cuisine
27 S. Main Street, Hanover, NH
(603) 643-9660

Jewel of India
www.interdial.net/jewel
27 Lebanon St, Hanover, NH 03755
603-643-2217

Lou’s Restaurant & Bakery
www.lousrestaurant.net
30 South Main Street, Hanover, NH
(603) 643-3321

Market Table
www.markettablenh.com/
Sit down eatery as well as prepared foods to go
44 South Main Street, Hanover, NH
(603) 676-7996

Murphy’s on the Green
www.murphysonthegreen.com/
American and Irish pub fare, local ingredients
11 S. Main St, Hanover, NH
(603) 643-4075

Tuk Tuk Thai   www.tuktukthaicuisine.com
5 S Main St  Hanover NH 03755
(603) 277-9162

Sushi Ya
Japanese and Korean food
74 S. Main Street, Hanover, NH 03755
(603) 643-4000

Basecamp
Himalayan/Nepalese food
3 Lebanon St, Hanover, NH 03755
(603) 643-2007